Land deterioration, drought, desertification, and water resources shrinkage threaten natural resources, negatively impacting environmental, economic, and political stability. The increasing occurrence of climate change (extremes) impacts land degradation processes, soil erosion by water and wind, and salinization. The researchers have invested several years of scientific research in natural resources deterioration, including soil degradation and erosion, land degradation, desertification, and climate changes, which are interesting enough. However, the link between science and policymaking appears to be less active as serious actions do not take fast. The eighteen chapters of this book focus more on topics related to natural resources deterioration, such as land degradation, desertification, drought, climate change, and analysis of numerous case studies.

This book examines the issue of solid waste generation and management as a worldwide phenomenon, focusing on strategies that facilitate the disposal and utilization of waste while ensuring environmental integrity and meeting the needs of future generations. The process of urbanization, particularly in densely populated cities, has resulted in a notable increase in the production of solid waste. Unfortunately, the current management system employed by the government, as well as the available resources and technical capabilities, is insufficient in effectively addressing this issue. As a result, the accumulation of solid waste in the environment continues to rise, causing adverse impacts on both the natural surroundings and human well-being. The contamination of the air, soil, and water directly stems from this mounting waste. To confront this global challenge, determined efforts are being made to manage and diminish the volume of solid waste, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the environment and preserving the welfare of future generations. Furthermore, the book delves into various sustainable development approaches, such as Gasification and Ash Melting, Anaerobic Digestion, and Composition. Additionally, it highlights the recent advancements in these techniques by scientists, which contribute to promoting sustainable solid waste management.

This book focuses on challenges that have arisen because of trash discharges and their potential causes and provides long-term sustainable solutions. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense devastation, leading to numerous fatalities as well as substantial economic losses and health issues. With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the amount of biomedical waste has multiplied, exposing more people to the epidemic. For developing countries, waste management is already a problem, and the waste generated during this pandemic situation has made things worse. If improper waste management techniques are not changed, the world will face a new crisis that could be referred to as a "garbage crisis." The increased quantity of COVID-19-associated waste (CAW) and their presence in the environment make them more vulnerable, potentially increasing the danger of food chain contamination.

This book is the second volume of a selection of the best papers presented at the XXX National Conference of Commodity Science held in Bari, Italy on 27–28th October, 2022. It is designed to help advance the knowledge and application of Commodity Science in innovation, quality, and sustainability principles and goals. Furthermore, it provides support in confronting the current environmental and socioeconomic challenges and contributes to addressing and solving those concerns in a circular economy context.

In this book, we have contributions from experts working on diverse aspects of waste management and waste entrepreneurship with an aim to contribute toward a holistic understanding of the existing and forthcoming waste handling challenges. Waste entrepreneurship refers to the practice of creating and operating businesses that aim to address the problem of waste management. It signifies businesses that are dedicated to finding innovative solutions for managing waste and plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future. Waste entrepreneurs identify waste as a valuable resource and use state-of-the-art tactics to reduce, reuse, recycle, and re-purpose it. By developing new technologies, services, and products that help reduce waste and recycle materials, they can create new economic opportunities while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of waste. The primary audience of this book are researchers (from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds) working in the field of waste management (especially E-waste, Plastics, Paper and Cardboard Waste, Organic Waste, and Construction and Demolition Waste) and environmental sustainability.

The field of resources and environmental research has seen a surge in interest and development. To compile the latest findings, this book presents peer-reviewed abstracts and papers from the 2023 5th International Conference on Resources and Environmental Research (ICRER 2023).

A "zero waste" society and the "circular economy" trend are urgently needed. Even if achieving 100% trash recycling and a fully circular economy may not always be attainable, aiming toward this goal might result in a sustainable future. Municipal solid wastes pose a hazard to the environment because of open burning, landfills, reckless disposal, and many other factors. Waste is being thrown away in more significant quantities and is made up of several different materials. Municipal solid waste (MSW) characteristics must be carefully considered when developing, implementing, or modifying solid waste management systems. Local waste variables that vary with cultural, climatic, socioeconomic, and institutional capacities are crucial for developing efficient waste management techniques.

This contributed volume takes a holistic view of the international waste trade and in doing so argues that the transfer of plastic waste from mainly Global North to primarily Global South countries constitutes a form of 21st Century colonialism. The book first describes the history of the plastic waste trade, from toxic disasters in the 1970s and 1980s through the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal in 1989 through China’s 2018 implementation of a “National Sword” policy that effectively banned importation of plastic waste. From there, the authors explore both the legal trade in plastic waste and the underground illegal trade in waste, arguing that both lead to devastating impacts on ecosystems, workers, and communities in receiving countries and highlighting how countries that receive waste are often less equipped to process it than the countries that export waste. The last section of the book presents cases from countries on the receiving end of the plastic waste trade, highlighting inherent problems from sociological and environmental justice perspectives.